Google Drawings

Create a drawing in Google Docs

  1. On your computer, open a document.

  2. In the top left, click Insert > Drawing > New.

  3. Insert shapes, lines or text with the editing tools.


Create a drawing in Google Drive

Once you are in Google Drive you can create a new drawing as follows:

    • Click the New button in the top left corner

    • Then click More and Google Drawings from the drop-down menu

    • Your blank drawing will now open. You can give it a name by clicking in the Untitled drawing box at the top left, and then typing in your title. You can click there again to change the title at any time.

    • Google Drawings automatically saves your drawing after any changes you make.


line-button.png

Draw a Line

  1. At the top of the page, find and click Select line.

  2. Pick the type of line you want.

  3. Place the line on your drawing:

    • Line, Elbow Connector, Curved Connector or Arrow: Click to start, then drag across the canvas.

    • Curve or Polyline: Click to start, then click at each point you want the line to bend. Double-click or complete the shape to finish.

    • Scribble: Click to start, then drag across the canvas.

  4. Click Select.

shape-button.png

Draw a Shape

  1. At the top of the page, find and click Shape.

  2. Choose the shape you want to use.

  3. Click and drag on the canvas to draw your shape.

text-button.png

Insert Text

  1. At the top of the page, click Insert.

    • To place text directly on the canvas as a shape, click Word Art.

    • To place text inside a box or confined area, click Text Box and click where you want to put it.

  2. Type your text and press Enter.

  3. You can select, resize and format the word art or text box, or apply styles like bold or italics to the text.

image-button.png

Insert an Image

  1. At the top of the page, find and click Image.

  2. Follow the instructions to pick or upload an image.

  3. You can move and format the image like any other shape.

    • Move the image: Drag it on the canvas.

    • Resize the image: Drag the blue boxes at the corners.

    • Rotate the image: Drag the blue dot that’s outside of the shape. Hold Shift to rotate 15° at a time.

    • Change border color, line thickness, or border/line style: Use the buttons above the canvas.

select-button.png

Select and Format Shapes

  1. On your computer, open a drawing in Google Drive.

  2. At the top of the page, find and click Select.

  3. On the canvas, click the shape, line, or text box you want to change.

    • Move a shape: Drag it on the canvas.

    • Resize a shape: Drag the blue boxes at the corners.

    • Rotate a line: Drag the blue dots at the corners. Lines can be rotated this way.

    • Rotate a shape: Drag the blue dot that’s outside of the shape. Hold Shift to rotate 15° at a time.

    • Change fill color, line color, line thickness, or border/line style: Use the buttons above the canvas.

    • Put text inside a shape: Double-click an enclosed shape and start typing.

Toolbar overview

Once you are in Google Drawings you will see a large blank area to create your drawing. Above that you will see the menu bar and toolbar. Below are the main features of these areas:

drawings-toolbar.png

Menu bar - some common options on the menu bar are:

    • File - Share, Download, Publish, Page setup, Print, and more

    • Edit - Undo, Copy, Paste, and more

    • View - Zoom in and out, Snap-to options, and more

    • Insert - add a Textbox, Image, Link, Word art, LIne, Shape, Table, and more

    • Format - text formatting, change shapes and connectors, crop images, image options, and more

    • Arrange - Order, Align, Distribute, Rotate, Group images and more

    • Tools - Spelling, Research, and more

    • Table - insert and edit tables